Every week, numerous games launch on Xbox One, but which ones truly stand out? Here are some of the biggest and most anticipated titles launching across Microsoft’s platforms next week. We have a few new AAA releases on Xbox One, but there are still a few surprises here and there. Notably, Control is finally launching on the console, and The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan offers an interesting take on the horror genre. With that in mind, here are all the best games launching next week, between August 26 and 30.

The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut

The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut is a dungeon crawler from inXile Entertainment and legendary designer Brian Fargo. Fargo has worked on experiences like Fallout, Wasteland, and Torment: Tides of Numenera in the past. Many older PC gamers will immediately recognize the series. The title features challenging combat that rewards creativity, various puzzles that lead to treasure, and a lot of environmental variety.

The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut should launch on August 27. It’s also a part of Xbox Game Pass. The Bard’s Tale IV: Director’s Cut runs at 4K resolution on Xbox One X.

Best of the best

Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over a hundred games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends.

Blair Witch

At E3 2019, Microsoft surprised everyone by revealing a game inspired by the Blair Witch Project for Xbox One and PC. Blair Witch is a famous horror film franchise that is considered a cult classic. The game is set in 1996 and you play as a detective. Gameplay revolves around searching the woods at night with a flashlight, a dog at your side. The reveal trailer suggested that the game will place the player in the same kind of eerie vulnerability which was the hallmark of the recovered footage style of the 1999 film.

Blair Witch should launch on August 30, priced at $30. It’s also a part of Xbox Game Pass. Blair Witch runs at 4K resolution on Xbox One X.

Into the woods

Blair Witch will return players to 1996, treading the same ground as the 1999 film that was a breakout success for the found-footage genre of horror. You’re tasked with finding a missing boy.

Control

Remedy Entertainment’s next big game, Control, is almost here. Set in the Oldest House, Control tasks players with exploring the mind-bending mysteries on offer as Jesse Faden, the new Director for the Federal Bureau of Control. The game looks similar to Quantum Break, but is much more complex.

Control should launch on August 27, priced at $60. Amazon has discounted the game to $50 at the moment. Control runs at 4K resolution on Xbox One X.

Take Control

In Control, players take on the role of Jesse Faden, the new Director for the Federal Bureau of Control. In the otherworldly Oldest House, you’ll need to uncover mysteries and stay alive as you find out just what’s going on.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan

The Dark Pictures Anthology is a series of standalone, branching cinematic horror games featuring a multiplayer mode. In Man of Medan, five friends set sail on a holiday diving trip that soon changes into something much more sinister. You’re tasked with exploring a ghost ship and uncovering the mystery behind it.

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan should launch on August 30, priced at $30. Amazon has discounted the game to $25 at the moment. The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan runs at 4K resolution on Xbox One X.

Survive the night

Preorder now and receive the Curator’s Cut, featuring new scenes playable from the other characters’ perspective with brand new choices and decisions to make.

Decay of Logos

Last year, Rising Star Games revealed a Zelda-like game called Decay of Logos. According to the developer, the title is set in a fantasy world where you coexist with kings, knights, wizards, ancient species, and other mythical creatures. You journey through an ancient kingdom ruled by a warring king and have to avenge loved ones. After your village is ransacked, you’re saved by a magical elk and embark on a new quest.

Decay of Logos should launch on August 30, priced at $20.

Avenge your family

Immerse yourself in the world of Decay of Logos and unravel its mysteries. Explore old dungeons, battle unforgiving foes, and journey through a vibrant interconnected fantasy realm with your mystical elk companion.

Hunt: Showdown

Hunt: Showdown is a first-person shooter which features a blend of competitive and cooperative combat. Monsters have taken over the world, and in order to survive, humanity must hunt them as close to extinction as possible. At Gamescom 2018, Microsoft announced that the game was coming to Xbox Game Preview. Almost a year later, it’s available on the console.

Hunt: Showdown is currently available through Xbox Game Preview, priced at $30. When it launches on August 27, it’ll go up to $40.

Swarming monsters

Hunt: Showdown is a first-person shooter which features a blend of competitive and cooperative combat. Monsters have taken over the world, and in order to survive, humanity must hunt them as close to extinction.

Wreckfest

Wreckfest is an upcoming demolition derby game that has a strong following on PC. According to the developer, the game features epic crashes, close fights over the finish line, and brand-new ways for metal to bend. Wreckfest is made by Bugbear, who also brought you the FlatOut series.

Crash into everything

Wreckfest is an upcoming demolition derby game that has a strong following on PC. The game features epic crashes, close fights over the finish line, and brand-new ways for metal to bend.

These are the biggest games launching soon, and many of them seem like absolutely thrilling experiences. Be sure to check out Control and Hunt: Showdown because they appear to be the most unique games out of the lot. Which titles are you interested in? Let us know.